Profile – Kenji Nener

I’m a 19 year old triathlete who has recently become professional. I left home as soon as I left school to follow my ambition to make to the Olympics. Supported by my family and friends I trained along with the likes of Brad Kahlefeldt, Emma Moffat, Drew Box, Emma Jackson and Tyler Butterfield. Every day was an effort, every day I would come home sore and exhausted. But I have faith that this effort was for the greater good of achieving excellence. To give an idea of the jump in training load, I was doing about 12 hrs per week and am now doing 30 hrs a week.

What are you studying

I chose to study my Actuarial Degree at Curtin University on the recommendation of my teachers at Shenton College. My strengths during high school were Mathematics and Science where I achieved High-distinctions in national tests and a medal in science projects. During high school I was renowned for being a very active student, but I thoroughly enjoyed the application of mathematics and physics in everyday life. This led me to choosing Actuarial, a degree that would compliment my strengths.

What are your current sporting achievements to date

I have recently been awarded professional status in triathlon by the National Triathlon of Australia.

Over the last 10 years I am the only Western Australian male to make it onto the Australian Junior Elite team.

This year I achieved: (all at Professional Open level)

18th in a World Cup in Korea;

7th in two Continental Cup Asian championships Japan;

2nd in the Australian Junior series;

14th in the National Elite Championships in Mooloolaba, Queensland;

2nd in Oceania Junior Championships, Davenport, Tasmania;

Represented Australia in the Junior elite World Championships in Auckland 2012.

.

WA results: (2012)

State open Duathlon champion;

5th in the City to Surf 12km run;

Aquathon State champion.

Previous years:

4th Junior Elite National series (2011);

2nd National series (2011);

7 time State team representative Triathlon;

6 time State team representative Running;

State Team Captain (2009) in National School sport in Triathlon;

Vice President of the community Youth advisory council (2008), Subiaco City.

What do you wish to achieve in your Triathlon and Academic career:

I left home for the Gold-Coast as soon as I left year 12 to follow my ambition to make the Olympics in Triathlons. Supported by my family and friends, I trained along with the likes of Brad Kahlefeldt, Emma Moffat, Emma Jackson and Tyler Butterfield, all Olympic representatives for Australia, training on the Gold-Coast. Every day I would come home alone, sore and exhausted. But I have faith that this effort was for the greater good of achieving my goal. To give an idea of the training load I do about 30 km of swimming per week, 400 km on the bike and run 90 km. My commitment is equivalent to a full time job.

Though I dedicate a significant part of my life to triathlon, I have ambition to also achieve excellence academically. Actuarial science is a degree that I enjoy and would recommend to people who have similarities to me. Though it maybe demanding I believe that with discipline I apply in my daily sporting routine I can achieve high grades in this degree.